Turner County herald. (Hurley, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1887-08-18

miners and Adyentuisss, who were In search
OF coal, and not far from MIR. Brernan's
homo they sunk shaft into the mountain
to fin the abalck diamonds"
Among them was rough and ill-look-
ing young man of about twenty one years
OF age, and he was noted az being ole of
the most desperate and wicked men among
the gang. The moment he saw the lovely
daughter Of Mr.. Brennan he began to
pay her marked attention, and afterwards
was frequent visitor at tho saw-mill.
Beautiful Edith Brennan soon perceived
the real object OF his coming, and could
not but form detestation against his pre-
sumptuous visits. Although she showed
him plainly that his visits we're odious to
her, yet he persistently forced them upen
her, aud one evening asked her to be his
wife; and on receiving decided negative
showed little principle by leaving the
cabin quietly.
For long time nothing was seen Of him,
and Edith Brennan began to hope that he
would not trouble her any more; but she
was disappointed in this, for on dark
stormy night, heavy tread was heard out
side, and the next moment Ben Warner
walked into the cabin. The first glance
showed that he was slightly intoxicated,
and as he walked into the room where the
family was, he fourished revolver, and
said in threatening voice to Mr.. Brennan
"a few months ago asked your daughter
TO be my wife and she refused, this even
ing l come again for the same purpose,
and want you to compel her to say yes,
or by thunder will Glenn out the whole
cabin" With those works he cooked his
revolver and said, "And I'll only give you o
few moments to decide"
For few minutes the room was silent as
death, and the stiffness was broken by
Edith saying, "Yes, I will be your wife,
Ben Warner" On hearing this the ruffian
was surprised and looked at Edith, but his
surprise was short. for the next moment
he was struck down by tremendous blow
from MIR. Brennan. The next moment
there was loud report and n deadly bullet
sped harmlessly into the wall. His re-
volyer was then taken from him and he
was pitched out doors, and the door was
locked.
The curses which he heaped upon Mr..
Brennan were heard inside, and after be-
ing engaged in that occupation for while,
hc went to the door and Kissed through the
keyhole, "John Brennan, you shall suffer
for your work tonight, and that idolized
daughter of yours shall find watery
grave" After which all was silent save
the roar of the wind and patter of rain
drops upon the roof.
They were not disturbed any more dur
ing the night, and after inquiring about
him the next day found that he had gone
away, no ono knew where. They were
pleased to hear this, and after short time
forgot that such person existed.
So, one bright morning in May Mr..
Brennan and his son Edward left the
| others OF home and went to the nearest
village to attend to some business. Ittook
them longer than was expected, and it was
rather late when they started for home.
The day was fearfully hot, and the low,
rumbling sounds that were heard heralded
| the coming of thunder storm; and by the
time they came in sight of their home the
sky was shrouded with frowning clouds,
and looked appalling as the dark mass
came nearer, and was occasionally illumin-
ated by vivid streaks Of lightning.
AS they came within few rods from the
cabin, they noticed that the door was open,
but saw no one, nor did any familiar sound
fall upon their ears; and their hearts beat
faster as they came nearer, and they
paused when they came to the door. as if
to hear some familiar sounds, or wait for
Edith to welcome them in.
But they waited in vain; no sounds were
heard. no words spoken, no Edith ap-
peared-all was silent save the echeing
peals that shook the earth.
For moment they looked at each other
and then walked in; the silence was soon
broken by the son pointing to pools of
blood. and saying in voice of agony,
"Father! Oh father! look there!"
| AS Mr.. Brennan saw the pools of blood
he turned pale, his lips quivered, and he
took hold of o chair to support himself,
and uttered in broken voice of anguish,
aMy God! Where are they9"
Without saying any more to each other
they looked in each room for the missing
ones, but the only answer they got was a
dirge from frog, whose notes pierced their
hearts. Remembering the ruffian's threat
concerning watery grave, they went to
| explore the dark waters of the dam, and
the scene before them was enough to
drive them distracted.
For in the waters embrace 10y two IA
miliar forms with the silence of death inn
printed upon their brows, and from their
sides the blood was oozing out, contaminat-
ing the transparency of the water. AS
Mr.. Brennan stood on the bank of the dam
and gazed on that horrifying spectacle for
q moment he raised his hands imploringly
toward heaven, and, altering few inaudi-
BILE words, fell forward and sank in
the dark waters Of the dam-dead:
The storm now began to fall upon that
sorrowful place, and as the rain began to
fall, Edward Brennan, though longing for
death, plunged into the dam and rescued
father, mother, and sister, although dead,
from the water, and carried them into the
cabin.
He then closed the door, and for the first
time noticed dagger lying under o chair,
and looking at it he saw the name of Ben
Warner engraved on the handle. Casting
it down he went and kneeled between his
dead father and mother, and with one hand
resting in theirs, he lifted the other toward
| heaven and prayed TINT his father. mother
and sister might be avenged.
AT this moment terrific report echoed
along the sky, as if to show that his prayer
was answered; and with lighter heart he
laid down to sleep, and the roar of the
wind and patter of rain drops soon lulled
his weary form to rest, to sleep with the
dead.
His slumbers were not broken until the
rays Of a morning sun beamed against the
windows, and on looking around he saw
the three dead bodies. He thought at frs,
Il